I hope that all readers are enjoying this season, mid-way between winter and spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and mid-way between summer and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere!

Recently, my husband Dilip and I took a two-week trip to Australia, where we really enjoyed being in peak summer weather. That trip has taken some of the bite out of our winter, since we are still experiencing severe cold and heavy snowfalls here in Canada, even in March. We all hope that since March came in like a lion this year, it will go out like a lamb!

Despite the severe cold, I have been lucky so far this season that I have not caught any major cold or infection, such as the flu or pneumonia.

I was worried about catching any infections for quite a while, as I have undergone several years of cancer treat­ment, including high-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplant.

I developed some habits during that time that have stayed with me, even though I am fortunate not to be taking any cancer treatment at the moment. I just don’t know how immune compromised I am.

Flu season always is a worry, so I still get the flu shot annually, as Dilip and I have done since the 1980s, when it was introduced as a public health measure. At the time when I was undergoing induction therapy and a stem cell transplant, from late 2009 to early 2010, the H1N1 flu was raging here in Canada. That made a strong impression on me, and ever since I have been trying to avoid catching influenza.

Another habit I have developed is being keen on getting all recommended vaccinations, including my childhood vaccinations after the stem cell transplant, an annual flu shot, and pneumonia vaccines. I am also getting a non-live shingles vaccine this spring. This all helps to reassure me that if I do get sick, it won’t be too serious. It is of course possible that my system will not put up immunities in response to the vaccines, and in that case, they would not be effective. I nevertheless prefer to take any vaccines on the hope that they will take.

Ever since I recovered from my stem cell transplant in 2010, I make an effort to exercise regularly. With the help of my fitness tracker and encouragement from family and friends, I am trying to walk every day, about 3.5 miles (6 km) if at all possible. I try to do most of my walking outside, but if the weather is bad, I go to the gym or walk around indoor shopping malls. I am a bit obsessive about keeping track of my steps, since I am still in a remission and don’t want my blood counts to indicate that I need to get back on treatment. I think that exercising lots is helping me that way.

Trying not to get exhausted can keep one from being susceptible to infections. If I do have the start of a cold and am sneezing, coughing, or have a sore throat, I try to stay home. I wish others would do the same thing! If I am resting, it is likely that the cold will not develop much, and I will feel better in a day or two.

I wash my hands lots and try to avoid crowds where infections may easily spread. If I am traveling on public transit, I try to avoid rush hour. For air travel, I try to get an aisle seat.

I don’t soak in hot tubs anymore and avoid saunas for fear of getting infections. I miss those treats, but I would rather not risk my health. I have had fungal infections on my toe nails a few years ago, and thought it might have been from being in an outdoor heated lagoon! I used a topical anti-fungal treatment, available by prescription, to clear up that infection.

Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water, or even coffee or tea, seems to help with good health. And I notice that if I forget to take my vitamin pills for a few days, I may start to come down with something.

I work from home, which usually keeps me away from unpredictable situations where people around me could be sick.

My hobbies that I have had for years seem fine for keeping healthy. As long as I don’t get too sedentary, I enjoy working on stitching, sewing, and knitting projects. These are quiet pursuits that I can do at home.

And music is a great joy in my life. I listen to music when exercising, and sing in a choir. I find that singing is good for my health, in that it lifts my spirits. In addition, the breathing exercises that go along with singing strengthen my lungs.

What special tips do you have for coping with a weakened immune system?

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The quotation for this month is from Aldo Leopold (1887 - 1948), an American author, philosopher, scientist, and environmentalist, who said: "One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the spring."